Sunday, April 3, 2016

100-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from April 1916

Rev. Charles Andrew Rush

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the
direction of editor and proprietor Q. Salter, published four editions 100 years
ago during the month of April 1916. Those issues, which were dated April 6,
April 13, April 20 and April 27, can be found on microfilm at the Monroe County
Library in Monroeville, Ala. What follows are a few news highlights from those
four editions. Enjoy.

APRIL 6, 1916

NOTICE OF ELECTION: Notice is hereby given that there will
be a general primary election held in and for Monroe County, in said state, on
Tues., May 9, 1916, for the purpose of nominating candidates for President of
the United States, state and county officers. L.M. Sawyer, Sheriff.

Stereopticon Entertainment: Stereopticon lecture at the high
school building Friday evening on the “Birth of a Nation,” and there will be
some illustrated songs such as “America,” sung as quartette, and the “Swannee
River” as solo. Pictures illustrating these songs and 62 pictures of the “Birth
of a Nation.” Come and see this. It is educational and inspiring. Admission 15
and 25 cents for children and grown people respectively.

The Board of Revenue at its session on April 3, awarded the
contract for grading, draining and surfacing the road from Excel to Goodway
through Wild Fork to Skipper, Ward and Kelly. Work will begin on this road
within the next 30 days and rushed to completion. This road serves a large
population and is badly needed as was shown by the report of the County
Engineer.

Road crews and contractors have been busy for the last 10
days repairing the damage to roads caused by the heavy rains.

Candidates for county offices are becoming increasingly
active as the date for the primary election draws near.

Solicitor John McDuffie left Sunday for Grove Hill where the
Clarke County Circuit Court convened last on Monday.

APRIL 13, 1916

Miss Alma Kearley is in Birmingham taking a course in
stenography in a leading business college.

Dr. D.D. Cole of Eliska, accompanied by his two bright
little boys, was a business visitor to Monroeville Friday.

Prof. J.B. Little is spending a few weeks of his vacation in
Monroeville, having recently closed his school at Old Texas.

Mr. John Gordon Brassell has returned to his home at Sunny
South after spending a week with his friend and school mate, Mr. Luke Crapps,
at Mexia.

Mr. S.D. Nettles of Tunnel Springs, government agent for the
collection of ginning statistics, was in to see us Tuesday. Mr. Nettles
believes there is a general disposition among farmers to reduce cotton acreage
this year and devote more attention to the growing of food and feed crops.

Mrs. J.B. Barnett and children are visiting relatives at
Dothan and points in Pike County.

Mr. R.L. Coxwell and bride are spending a few days with
relatives in Monroeville and at Mexia.

Mr. J.W. Hybart of Bells Landing was transacting business at
the county capital last week.

Mr. T.A. Rumbley of Puryearville was here the first of the
week greeting his numerous friends.

APRIL 20, 1916

After spending the winter at their ranch home at Perdue
Hill, Mr. and Mrs. V.J. Reinke returned to LaSalle, Ill. for a few months.

It is learned at The Journal goes to press that Capt. Thos.
S. Wiggins is seriously ill and grave apprehensions are felt by his family and
friends. Mr. Wiggins has been in poor health for several months.

Mr. J.L. McKinley has been advised of his reappointment as
rural carrier on motor Rural Route No. 1. The route will be extended so as to cover
a much wider area and serve a larger population.

Mrs. Hudson, who has lived in the near vicinity of
Monroeville for nearly half a century, was a visitor to the city on Wednesday
for the first time in 18 years. Mrs. Hudson had never before seen the new
courthouse, the bank or any of the new brick buildings that have replaced the
ancient wooden structures within that time, and scarcely recognized the old
town in its new dress. Mrs. Hudson is upward of 83 years old but is quite
active for one of her years.

The uniform examination of applicants for teachers’
certificates was held in Monroeville during the first three days of the current
week under the supervision of County Superintendent J.A. Barnes. Some 25 or 30
applicants were enrolled.

Pine Barren Picnic: The churches and Sunday schools of the
Pine Barren Association will hold their second annual basket picnic on my (R.E.
Lambert) farm Thurs., April 27.

APRIL 27, 1916

Mrs. J.C. Finch has returned to her home at Finchburg after
spending a few days with her daughter, Mrs. A.C. Lee.

Memorial Exercises: The Monroeville Chapter U.D.C. will
observe Memorial Day with a short program at the Baptist cemetery at 2:30 o’clock
on the afternoon of May 10, 1916. All Confederate veterans in Monroe County are
invited to be present and will be entertained by the men of Monroeville. All
veterans who expect to attend the exercises will please notify Dr. G.C. Watson
by the 6th of May.

Mrs. Hebblewhite and children of Chicago are here to attend
the Locklin-Moore wedding.

Rev. C.A. Rush, D.D., President of the Southern University
at Greensboro, was an honored visitor to Monroeville this week in the interest
of that splendid institution, which is flourishing under his administration.

NEGLECTED GRAVES: The U.D.C.’s of Monroeville have decided
to observe May 10th as Decoration Day for this Chapter. This is the
63rd anniversary of the death of Stonewall Jackson, who was indeed
the right arm of Lee in his gigantic struggle.

While we meet to decorate the graves of our loved ones, my
heart goes out to the neglected graves that are lost and forgotten – those that
never had a flower.

I beg of the readers of this paper who may know of any such
graves, that they will communicate with the writer of this article. We shall
send flags and make arrangements to have these graves remembered on May 10 on
the Sabbath preceding. We, the U.D.C.’s, wish to decorate the grave of every
Confederate soldier yearly. Their dust is sacred and every mound marks the
resting place of a hero. The names and deeds of these brave men who wore the
gray will wither and die unless watered at memory’s fountain, and sprinkled
with the tears of love.

Please send the name, regiment and company of all
Confederate soldiers who have died in Monroe County, also the name of
graveyard, to Mrs. Frank Emmons, Monroeville, Ala.